Executive Editor and Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham uses his standing at random house to compile a collection of essays in his newest published work, “Beyond Bin Laden.” Jon Meacham’s personal opinions take a back seat to the magnitude of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, and their affects on current American society. “Beyond Bin Laden” offers readers different opinions on the faults and progress that Americans should be aware of.

The essays in this book all tell a similar story but from many different points of view. Most of the essays are written by people who were formerly or currently involved with the government and have a professional relationship with the war on terror.

Each essay proposes what the author feels America’s next step should be based on our past actions, our past mistakes. Some of the essay authors include former Secretary of State, James A. Baker III and Council on Foreign Relations President, Richard N. Haass.

These essays are all intellectually told and are highly informative. But the reader may find that the title of this collection is misleading. There is very little mention of Bin Laden and his recent death. The essays focus more on America’s past and present mistakes and who was at fault for these mishaps. The essays suggest policies and changes that the American should take heed of to improve the country after the terrorist attack.

This book may be filled with great ideas but they are not ideas that haven’t been heard before. You may open this book expecting to read a collection of information about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, finally ending in his death, but you will be sorely disappointed. This is simply a collection of ideas, some new and some old, which seek return America to the glory it once had.